NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets.
New York Islanders at Dallas Stars
New York Islanders (+158) at Dallas (-192) – Total 5.5 (Under, -115)
6 p.m. ET
Islanders coach Pete DeBoer returns to Dallas for the first time since he was fired after the 2025 season and the well-documented postseason goalie pull of Jake Oettinger. The Islanders are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings that snapped a two-game winning streak. For Dallas, this is game three of a six-game homestand. The Stars have won each of the first two games in overtime by identical 3-2 scores. All 10 of the Stars’ games have gone Under the total (all finishing with a combined five goals or less). Stars goalie Jake Oettinger has allowed two goals or fewer in seven of his eight starts (three shutouts). Islanders’ games have gone Under in five straight and six of the last seven. Jason Robertson has five assists in his current three-game assist streak and eight goals in 10 career games against the Islanders. The Stars are still looking for a left winger to play on the top line with Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen. Today, Joel Kiviranta gets his opportunity. One Islanders player pro for me is Bo Horvat for 3+ shots on goal. He’s hit this mark in eight of ten games this season and five of his last six against the Stars.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Under 5.5 (-115) – 2 units
Joel Kiviranta 1+ assist (+240) – ¼ unit
Joel Kiviranta anytime goal (+450) – ¼ unit
Jason Robertson anytime goal (+145) – 1 unit
Bo Horvat 3+ shots on goal (-114) – 1 unit
Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets
Montreal (-120) at Winnipeg (+100)
7 p.m. ET
It’s the Heritage Classic outdoor game in Winnipeg with the Canadiens taking on the Winnipeg Jets. The hometown Jets have lost four straight, and five of their six losses this season have been by one goal. But with the Connor Hellebuyck saga finally over, it may be the boost the Jets need to end their losing streak. On Friday, Hellebuyck was traded to the New Jersey Devils.
Montreal is coming off a 4-1 win at Chicago on Friday and has traded wins and losses over the past four games. The Habs have won back-to-back just once this season. When it comes to a side and total, I will play the Over 5.5 goals. Seven of the 10 Jets games have gone Under the total, but seven of Montreal’s 10 games have gone Over the total, and when it comes to outdoor games, the Over has cashed in six straight and 10 of 14. Five of the last six outdoor games have had a combined eight-plus goals.
The Jets’ Kyle Connor has scored goals in seven of the Jets’ 10 games this season and has scored in each of his last four games against Montreal and six of the last seven versus the Habs (15 goals in 24 career games). He has also registered 3+ shots on goal in seven straight against Montreal and in nine of his last 10 games this season. Jets defenseman Neal Pionk has had two or more shots on goal in 11 of his last 12 games against the Canadiens, in each of his last three games this season, and in five of his last seven.
On the Montreal side, Josh Anderson has had 2+ shots on goal in five straight and eight of the Habs 10 games this season. He has also scored three goals in the five games he has faced Jets goalie Stuart Skinner. Cole Caufield put up 3+ shots on goal in six of his last seven games. Oliver Kapanen, who got the bump to the top line to fill the spot of Nick Suzuki, has goals in each of the two games he has faced the Jets.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Over 5.5 (-130) – 1 unit
Josh Anderson 2+ shots on goal (-105) – 1 unit
Connor 3+ shots/Pionk 2+ shots (+156) – ½ unit
Connor and Caufield 3+ shots on goal each (+132) – ½ unit
Caufield 3+ shots/Pionk 2+ shots (+157) – ½ unit
Kyle Connor anytime goal (+140) – 1 unit
Josh Anderson anytime goal (+460) – ¼ unit
Oliver Kapanen anytime goal (+270) – ¼ unit
Connor/Scheifele point parlay (-127) – ½ unit
Caufield/Hutson/Slafkovsky point parlay (+164) – ½ unit
